Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- brooding
- eerie
- foreboding
- late night horror viewing
- halloween marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film visually ambitious and diverting for genre fans but more conventional and less effective than Clive Barker’s strongest work.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Harry D'Amour is a private investigator whose routine Los Angeles case leads into a fanatic cult and resurrection plot.
Swann’s celebrated illusionist career contrasts with his connection to Nix, cult violence, and lethal magic.
The private-eye investigation, Los Angeles setting, and hard-boiled protagonist are fused with occult resurrection and graphic horror.
Nix’s followers wait for his resurrection and commit violence in service of his return.
Films like Lord of Illusions, and why
Cast a Deadly Spell
shared neo-noir investigation, supernatural horror, and occult mystery
Nightbreed
shared occult cultism, dark fantasy, graphic horror, and demonic menace
The Ninth Gate
shared supernatural investigation, noir atmosphere, and horror-fantasy mythology
Hellraiser
shared Clive Barker authorship, grotesque practical effects, and transgressive supernatural horror
Movie Details
- Director
- Clive Barker
- Release Date
- 1995-08-25
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (393)
Cast
- Scott Bakula
- Kevin J. O'Connor
- Famke Janssen
- Joel Swetow
- Daniel von Bargen
- Barry Del Sherman
- Joseph Latimore
- Sheila Tousey
- Vincent Schiavelli
- Ashley Tesoro
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, ScreenPix Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Lord of Illusions about?
- A rumpled Los Angeles detective is drawn into a lethal occult conspiracy surrounding a resurrected cult leader and a glamorous illusionist.
- What is Lord of Illusions like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lord of Illusions as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Lord of Illusions violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Lord of Illusions as graphic.
- What did critics think of Lord of Illusions?
- Critics broadly found the film visually ambitious and diverting for genre fans but more conventional and less effective than Clive Barker’s strongest work.
- Which films are like Lord of Illusions?
- Films with a similar feel include Cast a Deadly Spell, Nightbreed, The Ninth Gate, and Hellraiser.
- How long is Lord of Illusions?
- Lord of Illusions runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Lord of Illusions?
- In United States, Lord of Illusions streams on Amazon Prime Video, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, ScreenPix Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, ScreenPix Amazon Channel .
